> I've never met a hiring manager/HR recruiter that's ok with this There's a very simple position to take here: "My compensation is a function of the value I w

> I've never met a hiring manager/HR recruiter that's ok with this There's a very simple position to take here: "My compensation is a function of the value I will be providing to your company, not the value I provide to my current employer." Be assertive. At least in the United States, short of a backchannel reference check, a prospective employer has absolutely no way of confirming anything you say - a fact that can be brought to light if this kind of question ever comes up. At the moment, for good talent, it's a seller's market. > evidence of a disturbing bias against the unemployed/underemployed There is a definite bias against un(der)employed. This has been well studied. Furthermore: your BATNA while employed is infinitely better (for most people).